Owning a car comes with a whole platter of auxiliary costs in addition to the monthly payment. Vehicle owners are also burdened with the cost of registration, repairs, gas, tickets, insurance, and more.
While we might not all have time to add another job to our schedules, it’s possible to find time in your week to make a considerable dent in your debt or upcoming expenses.
If you’re looking for a way to make your paycheck go further and you need some fast cash, consider these creative ways to cover car costs in 2024.
1. Play Games and Save Money
Yes, you read that right. You can put money toward your car maintenance budget by playing Solitaire on your phone.
All you need to do is download the Solitaire Cash app and start playing. Players range from casual site visitors to hardcore tournament titleholders, and users can earn up to $83 per won game.
This method is fair, albeit unconventional. You can be certain that you’re getting the same chance to win as every other user on the platform. With more than a million downloads on the Apple Store, the proof is in the pudding.
At this time, this application is only available for iPhone users. But, there are a variety of paid gameplay apps on the Android app store as well.
2. Call Your Creditors
It might seem counterintuitive to call the credit card company when you need money, but you could save a decent amount just by asking for a discount.
Often, the fees on your loan and credit card statements aren’t the same every single cycle. These inconsistencies and increases can add up fast, and many times they can be avoided.
Even if you don’t see anything fishy on your statement, you might be able to get a kickback just by asking if there are any current deals or promotions.
3. Apply for an Auto Title Loan
Use your car to make money for your car. With an auto title loan, you can borrow money to cover unexpected car repairs and hefty expenses without giving up your keys.
Auto title loans from companies such as 1800cartitleloan are ideal financing solutions for people who don’t have a sparkling credit history or those who have recently experienced a change in employment. All auto title lenders usually need is some information to determine the value of the vehicle and the borrower’s proof of ownership and identity.
More often than not, your local lender will offer instant-rate calculators or pre-approval terms on their website.
4. Sell Unused Gift Cards
How many times have you received a gift card that you know you’d never use? If you have a drawer full of unused cards, you might be able to trade them in for cash.
Services like Raise and CardCash buy gift cards for retailers across every commercial sphere, and some allow you to set your own value before listing your cards on their online marketplaces.
Additionally, your local grocery store might have a purchasing kiosk that serves the same purpose. Consider comparing rates between the two before putting all of your unused gift cards for sale.
5. Get Free Money When You Shop
Spending isn’t always an outbound transaction. With these mobile apps, you can collect cash-back points with every purchase you make.
Money-saving apps like Aspiration, Digit, and Acorns help users work toward their savings goals without changing anything about their lifestyles.
This method requires a bit more patience, and it’s not ideal for time-sensitive emergencies. However, it can be a great way to funnel money into your annual auto services fund.
6. Take Paid Surveys
If you have a few spare minutes to spend scrolling social media, you can easily make money in your spare time. There are a ton of paid survey sites on the market that will give you money to fill out a few questions.
Most services simply require applicants to make an account and complete a few preliminary questions. In some cases, participants are required to prequalify for a survey and this can slow down the process a bit.
If you’re trying to earn a bit more to cover your car payment or saving to pay off debt before financing, this is a great way to save in addition to your main source of income.
Opting for services that allow you to filter projects based on your own qualifications can save you time, and help you to earn more in a shorter period.
7. Use Your Current Vehicle to Make Money
If you’re in the market for a car upgrade, you can probably use what you’re currently driving to start saving. Did you know you could make more than $300 just for signing up for certain rideshare services as a driver?
Rideshare companies, including Uber and Lyft, are the perfect option for people who need to earn money fast on their own schedule. No matter how much free time you have per week, or when you need to work, you can save a significant amount for simply driving people around your local area.
Additionally, you can potentially make hundreds per week shopping and delivering groceries. The pandemic changed the way many people shop for necessities, and grocery delivery is a safer way to limit the amount of people in the stores at one time. Just like driving passengers around, you’re able to choose the hours that fit your schedule and earn was much as you’d like.
Simply apply for the service of your choice, and follow the specific requirements of the brand you’re opting for. But, most companies require at minimum:
- Government-issued identification proving you meet minimum age requirements
- Proof of vehicle ownership, registration, and insurance
- Smartphone that is able to run the required proprietary apps
Being a vehicle owner is expensive, and even borrowing a car can rack up a steady bill if you have to deal with the maintenance and upkeep. But, even if you’re stuck on the side of the road with a large surprise repair, it’s possible to pay off your debt if you think on your feet.
Consider these money-saving options to build a car maintenance fund, cover an emergency, or save for a repair.
